<p>I don’t expect my students to show up having seen anything like a college syllabus previously, because I think HS does often work differently. My H doesn’t have test dates mapped out at the beginning of the year; they’re scheduled as he thinks the class is ready for them.</p>
<p>But I DO think it’s extremely important for college students to understand what WasatchWriters says about them–that they’re a contract, and the instructor should be able to assume students are keeping track of what is due and when (not just major projects, papers, and tests, but also readings, small assignments, special instructions such as the day we’re meeting at the library, etc.) The syllabus also outlines important policies (absents, late work, other expectations) that students need to know.</p>
<p>Being a first semester of freshman year instructor, I put considerable time into going over the syllabus at the beginning, and yes, I do remind them about important dates in class and online, but really, it has to become their responsibility to read it, ask questions if confused, and consult frequently so they don’t get behind or otherwise threaten their success in class.</p>